1 dog vs 2

[Lindsey]

The doggie day confirmed that Layla would be happier as an only child! She was pretty scared when we got there but I would NOT let her on my lap or let her hide behind me. There were 4 other dogs there and they weren't mean or anything, just being regular dogs and trying to sniff at her. She needs to learn to get out there and deal with other dogs on her own! So I kept pushing her out and eventually she ventured out on her own, although she didn't play or really try to be around the other dogs at all. After we ate, we went into the back yard and the few dogs that were left ran around... and Layla even ran a little! But she was really happy to go home and relax on her own.
It turns out my friend does this every month! So I will definitely go back again for another.

[DianaB]

Awwww, poor little Layla. It sounds like you've made a good choice to wait for another puppy. I'm sure that the little get-togethers will help her a lot. You're a good Mommy, Lindsey!!!

[Lindsey]

Thank you Diana! I really try!

[judy]

That's a nice idea Linds! A doggie day once each month sounds like that's enough for Layla to handle right now. After a while, if she becomes more social, you can think again about getting another dog. Or, not....

I have the same problem as you do Diana. Annie has taken over ownership of me, and Max has been very tentative about comng to me. Females are usually more dominant than males anyway. He is my first furbaby though, and I realized just a few weeks ago that Annie is old enough now for me to push her away so that Max can come to me. It's slowly working. I don't know if he will ever feel as comfortable coming to me as he used to. He will not fight back with her. I realized that I can train her not to be so bossy when it comes to me. She is over a year old already, so I don't feel bad about pushing her out of the way. .

He dominates the food, and I don't reallty know what else. She follows him around wherever they are though. I think they have pretty much everything else worked out. He seems not to want to share the pee pads, and if I don't change them every other day, he goes on the floor near them. I have washable pads, so it's not really a problem.

Maybe little Jazzi needs a little talking to by Mama! Is she old enough yet?

[Blueyes]

Awww... Layla just wants her mommy

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by judy

........Maybe little Jazzi needs a little talking to by Mama! Is she old enough yet?

Judy, I've tried so many things with Jazzi. When we first got her I had her kennel sitting on top of Reuger's but I moved it on the floor when I realized how badly she treated him. There is some animal behavior about the boss being the highest.

If I let her outside first Jazzi will turn and wait for Reuger to come out and then she nips at him as he comes out so he's gotten where he won't go out if she's already out there. Then....if I hold Jazzi back so Reuger goes out first she whines and fusses while I hold her back and still nips at him when she runs by but not as bad as when she's already outside. I have tried scolding and saying no.

She likes to use her teeth. She's quick to come around when you first touch her and put her teeth on you like to say "I could have bit you!!" She doesn't bite because she does know better but she will sure make you think that she's going to. The kids are real wary of her even though they've never been bitten. She's very loving and cuddly with me and anyone that will make the effort to get to know her but she sure has me stumped on what to do to help poor Reuger. I have seen him get on to her when she tries to take his chewy thing so she does respect him at times.

At least it's made Glen appreciate Reuger a lot more!!!!! I keep telling myself that she's still a puppy (she'll be a year old in December) so maybe as she matures things will get better.......anyway I sure hope so.

I should mention that she's not ALL bad. We do enjoy having her even though she's difficult.